MINING INDUSTRY

The Hon. T.J. STEPHENS (15:21): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Mineral Resources Development a question about the mining industry.

Leave granted.

The Hon. T.J. STEPHENS: Recently, the minister waxed lyrical about the potential of mining in South Australia. However, we have been advised that the truck-training simulator located at Port Augusta is being removed.

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. T.J. STEPHENS: I understand funding for the program has finished. Some people are caught halfway through a heavy vehicle course, which they had hoped would help them gain a licence and an off-farm job in the mining industry. This could not happen at a worse time as, again, our farmers are facing another year of shocking drought. My question is: what is the minister doing to ensure that the simulator stays so that courses can be completed and training can be ongoing to benefit the mining industry?

The Hon. P. HOLLOWAY (Minister for Mineral Resources Development, Minister for Urban Development and Planning, Minister for Small Business) (15:21): I am not aware of any difficulties in relation to that matter. If the honourable member provides me with the information, I would be happy to investigate it. Obviously, simulators are an important facility in terms of training drivers for the mining industry. Of course, that is an important part of the mining industry. I can report to the Abbott and Costello team opposite that the mining industry is doing very well, whether underground mining or any other sort of mining.